Education News

Adult learners and educators awarded
Media Release Friday, 4 November 2011 Bay of Plenty Polytechnic students and staff were amongst top award winners at the annual Adult Learners Week Awards.Held last night at the Tauranga City Council?s Chambers the Awards were presented by Deputy Mayor David Stewart.
The awards are the culmination of International Learners? Week recognising and celebrating . . . more

Tool to increase secondary students' prospects for employment
Careers New Zealand has launched the country?s first Career Education Benchmarks. Revisit some of the essentials of this new initiative with Careers New Zealand?s Dale Bailey.
The Career Education Benchmarks were unveiled by Education Minister Anne Tolley at Christchurch?s Hornby High School in October 2011, ushering in a new era for . . . more

Anne Tolley
30 October, 2011
Innovative learning network to lift student achievement
Education Minister Anne Tolley has announced that a dedicated nationwide online network for New Zealand schools will be developed, to ensure that teaching and learning is at the forefront of global educational developments and makes the most of new technology.
The safe, secure system, called the Network for Le . . . more

Anne Tolley
27 October, 2011
Minister welcomes evaluation of Service Academies
Education Minister Anne Tolley has welcomed the release of an Education Review Office evaluation of Service Academies, which shows improved engagement, behaviour and academic achievement for the secondary school students enrolled in this important Youth Guarantee initiative.
The evaluation also found improvements in . . . more

astrolabe disaster: what can we do?
Sustainable Coastlines was one of the organisations that we worked with on our exhibition AQUA investigating how to look after one of our most precious resources - water. Less than six months later this been brought home with a vengeance with the environmental tragedy unfolding around the con . . . more

Anne Tolley
14 October, 2011
Raising quality in early childhood education
Education Minister Anne Tolley says the Government is moving to end the variability of quality in early childhood education (ECE) services and give better information to parents.
It comes as the Minister announces the first steps in the Government?s response to the ECE Taskforce report, which received more than 4000 sub . . . more

By 2021, Kristin School could be sporting eco-friendly rooftop gardens and check-in classrooms says Year 10 student, Christian Silver, the driving force behind Kristin School's recent Futures@Kristin conference.
Over a recent weekend in September, Christian brought together more than 40 Kristin students from Year 7 ? 11 for a think- . . . more

Anne Tolley
12 October, 2011
Increased focus on recruiting high-quality teachers
Education Minister Anne Tolley has announced the next step in the Government?s work to attract high-calibre candidates into teaching as a career.
?Effective teaching has the biggest impact on results for students, and this starts with recruiting high-quality teachers,? says Mrs Tolley.
?We are concentrating on re . . . more

September 2011
Servilles Academy Continues to Celebrate Success Servilles
Academy of Hairdressing has received three of the four awards at the annual New Zealand Association of Private Education Provider?s awards in Wellington! Tutor of the Year: Hairdressing Tutor,Glenn Mercer Support Person of the year: Education Manager, Maryke Botes: Student of the Year: Vladimir Moiseev . . . more

Anne Tolley
4 October, 2011
Further support for secondary teachers
Education Minister Anne Tolley has announced four further support days for secondary school teachers, as they implement the new curriculum-aligned achievement standards for NCEA Levels one, two and three over the next two years.
Two teacher-only professional development days will be provided to schools in 2012, with two further . . . more

Steven Joyce
3 December, 2010
Focusing on quality in the ITP sector
From next year the NZ Qualifications Authority (NZQA) will assume direct responsibility for quality assurance of Institutes of Technology and Polytechnics, taking the role from ITPNZ which has had the responsibility through ITPQ since 1993.
The Minister for Tertiary Education, Steven Joyce, says the change has come about as a . . . more

Steven Joyce
20 September, 2011
International education Leadership Statement released
Doubling the economic value of international education to New Zealand is at the heart of the Government?s Leadership Statement for international education, says Tertiary Education Minister Steven Joyce.
?The government has preparedthe first version of a Leadership Statement for international educationwhichse . . . more

Paula Bennett
18 September, 2011
High priority for schools reporting concerns to CYF
Social Development Minister Paula Bennett has asked Child Youth and Family to strengthen processes to respond better to school reports of abuse.
?Teachers and principals know the children they teach, they know what?s normal for each child and what?s not,? says Ms Bennett.
?I felt we could strengthen the prio . . . more

Anne Tolley
16 September, 2011
Resourcing for Christchurch schools
Education Minister Anne Tolley says that the movement of students away from Christchurch and within the city since the February earthquake will result in a redistribution of resources for schools.
3500 students from Christchurch remain enrolled in schools outside the city, while over 1500 students have moved to diff . . . more

International student mobility highlights in the OECD?s Education at a Glance 2011By Kris Olds September 13, 2011 11:15 am EDT
Education at a Glance 2011 was released today by the OECD. The report is replete with data about education systems, patterns, trends, etc., and is well worth reading.
Free copies of the full report (497 pp) and the highlights version (98 pp) are available in PDF format . . . more

Anne Tolley
7 September, 2011
Good progress on career pathways for students
Education Minister Anne Tolley says the development of new vocational pathways for senior secondary students is making good progress, as the Government improves the transition from education to employment.
The routes for NCEA level 1 and 2 students will provide young people with a clear map of the subjects they need to . . . more

Anne Tolley
6 September, 2011
Ten new Trades Academies confirmed
Education Minister Anne Tolley has announced the ten new Trades Academies which are to open around New Zealand from 2012, providing practical skills training for secondary school students while allowing them to study for NCEA credits and tertiary qualifications.
The number of fees-free places for 16 and 17 year olds will increase . . . more

Anne Tolley
5 September, 2011
New and extended Trades Academies for Canterbury
Education Minister Anne Tolley has announced that Christchurch is to have a new Trades Academy, and that student places are to more than treble at the existing Academy in the city.
Following applications from across New Zealand, the National Trade Academy in Christchurch has been selected as one of ten new providers . . . more

Anne Tolley
29 August, 2011
Doubling the number of new Trades Academies
Education Minister Anne Tolley has announced that the number of new Trades Academies is to double, keeping even more 16 and 17 year olds engaged in education and practical skills training, who would otherwise be at risk of dropping out of the system.
Budget 2011 funding of $63.1 million and some reprioritised funding will . . . more

Anne Tolley
25 August, 2011
New guidelines to support safer schools
Education Minister Anne Tolley says newly-released guidelines for the search and seizure of drugs and weapons in schools will help support teachers and protect students and staff.The guidelines ? the first of their kind ? were developed by the Ministry and external legal advisers following calls from the sector for clear advic . . . more

Call for laptops for Kiwi studentsThe New Zealand Institute is urging the Government to consider buying laptops for all Kiwi school students. The think tank is set to meet with the Ministry of Education and warns the ultra fast broadband rollout will be pointless for schools if there is no Government strategy to make it available to students. The New Zealand Institute's Rick Boven said e-learning . . . more

Anne Tolley19 May, 2011
Extra $550m to improve families? access to ECEThe Government will invest an extra $550.3 million in early childhood education over the next four years, to allow as many families as possible to access quality services where they are needed the most, Education Minister Anne Tolley says. Budget 2011 provides an 11.5 per cent increase in ECE spending from Budget 2010 - or an . . . more

Steven Joyce
18 August, 2011
Tertiary education legislation passes
Tertiary Education Minister Steven Joyce says new law passed today will introduce greater transparency in the setting of compulsory student services fees, boost New Zealand?s international education sector and safeguard standards in the tertiary sector.?New Zealand has a tertiary education system to be proud of and I want to see . . . more

Anne Tolley19 May, 2011
Extra $621m for schools over four yearsBudget 2011 delivers significant investment to lift achievement in schools and keep students engaged to gain worthwhile qualifications, Education Minister Anne Tolley says.?Budget 2011 invests an extra $1.3 billion in operating funding and $109 million in capital for education, of which $621.2 million is for schooling,? she says.?Thi . . . more

Anne Tolley
4 August, 2011
Continuing support for Playcentre
Education Minister Anne Tolley says there is no risk to Playcentre funding, following the release of the independent ECE Taskforce report.
?The Government is investing $1.4 billion in early childhood education this year, and the Taskforce was established to review the effectiveness of ECE spending and to make recommendations on propo . . . more

Anne Tolley
4 August, 2011
Strengthening the Learning and Behaviour service
Education Minister Anne Tolley has announced that changes to the Resource Teachers: Learning and Behaviour (RTLB) service will bring more consistency and better leadership, while increasing the number of teachers.
RTLB are specialist teachers who work across clusters of schools to support them in dealing with challengi . . . more

Anne Tolley, Tariana Turia
3 August, 2011
Pasifika Education Plan shows good progress
Education Minister Anne Tolley says a mid-term review of the Pasifika Education Plan (2009-2012) shows positive results in early childhood education, schooling and the Youth Guarantee for Pasifika children and young people.
The review found that Pasifika participation in early childhood education (ECE) has in . . . more

Associate Minister of Education Hon Rodney Hide today congratulated Autism New Zealand on being allocated a $764,500 grant from Pub Charity.
?This grant will allow Autism New Zealand to develop a toolkit to complement other work happening in special education and improve access to education for children and young people on . . . more

Steven Joyce
28 July, 2011
Industry training sector delivering better results
The government?s push for more accountability in industry training is starting to pay off with a big increase in credit achievement, says Tertiary Education Minister Steven Joyce.
Preliminary figures from the Tertiary Education Commission, released by the Minister this morning at the Industry Training Federation?s An . . . more

Paula Bennett
27 July, 2011
Green Paper for Vulnerable Children
Social Development Minster Paula Bennett joined Sir Peter Gluckman, Green Paper Champions, MPs and the public in Aotea Square today to launch the Green Paper for vulnerable children.
?Too many children are being hurt, abused, neglected and badly let down but we can change this and now is time to act,? says Ms Bennett.
?The decisi . . . more

Anne Tolley
27 July, 2011
Encouraging response to ECE Taskforce consultation
Education Minister Anne Tolley says there has been a great response from the public and the early childhood education sector to calls for submissions during consultation on the independent ECE Taskforce report.
?The eight-week consultation began in June, and so far there have been 1637 submissions, which is extremely . . . more

Pita Sharples
25 July, 2011
Kohanga reo position understood - Sharples
The Associate Minister of Education and Minister of Maori Affairs, Dr Pita Sharples, is assuring the whanau of kohanga reo that their concerns have been recognised, and solutions are being investigated.
?The Government recognises the Kohanga Reo desire for recognition as a distinct kaupapa Maori that does not fit within cur . . . more

Anne Tolley
11 July, 2011
Future schooling in Kawerau
Education Minister Anne Tolley says the reorganisation of schools in Kawerau will bring a much brighter future for education in the town, and raise achievement levels for students.
?The decisions announced today, including some changes as a result of community feedback during consultation, will provide certainty for students, schools and c . . . more

Anne Tolley
8 July, 2011
Decision on South Dunedin schooling
Education Minister Anne Tolley has announced her final decisions on the review of schools to strengthen education provision in the South Dunedin area.
The reorganisation of primary schools for years 1 ? 8 children will see the formation of two new merged schools, and will provide an extra $1.8 million in Education Development . . . more

Anne Tolley
7 July, 2011
New $8.4 million school for students with special needs
Education Minister Anne Tolley has officially opened the new $8.4 million Mahinawa Specialist School and Resource Centre, based at Mana College in Porirua.
?This new school and resource centre shows the Government?s commitment to providing education for students with special needs,? says Mrs Tolley.
?Mahinawa Spe . . . more

Anne Tolley
6 July, 2011
Drivers of Crime: investing in education
Education Minister Anne Tolley says that Government investment in early childhood education and parenting programmes has made a significant contribution to the progress made in the Drivers of Crime strategy.
?All children deserve the best possible start to their education, and to be engaged in learning, which is why Budget 2011 . . . more

Anne Tolley, Peter Dunne
4 July, 2011
New tax education online resource for schools
Education Minister Anne Tolley and Revenue Minister Peter Dunne have today launched a new tax education online curriculum tool for school students.
The Citizenship and Tax Education tool is designed for Year 7-10 social studies classes.
?This will be a welcome addition to the resources currently available to s . . . more

Steven Joyce
30 June, 2011
Focus on literacy and numeracy paying off
Tertiary Education Minister Steven Joyce says the government?s focus on foundation skills has seen the number of adults accessing programmes with a strong literacy and numeracy component more than quadruple since 2008.
In 2008, less than 15,000 adult learners accessed foundation courses with embedded literacy and numeracy.&nb . . . more

Anne Tolley
24 June, 2011
Proper consultation on new school
Education Minister Anne Tolley says construction of a proposed new school on the site of the former Waimokoia residential school in Auckland has been put on hold to allow proper consultation to take place with neighbouring schools and the wider community.
Thurston Place College was due to open in January 2012, to cater for thirty stud . . . more

Winning streak continues for Servilles Academy
The champagne corks have been popping as trainers celebrate their success.
For the second year running, Servilles Academy of Hairdressing has been awarded Education Organisation of the Year at the annual Schwarzkopf Professional Hair Expo Awards in Sydney.
Since its establishment in 1993, th . . . more

Anne Tolley
1 June, 2011
Minister welcomes release of ECE Taskforce report
Education Minister Anne Tolley has welcomed the release by the Independent Taskforce of a report on the future of early childhood education in New Zealand.
The Minister established the Taskforce in October 2010 to review the effectiveness of ECE spending and to make recommendations on proposed improvements, including ch . . . more

Tony Ryall
27 May, 2011
New industry training organisation for local government
State Services Minister Tony Ryall has today announced that Learning State will be the new industry training organisation for local government.
From 1 April 2011, the Local Government Industry Training Organisation (LGITO) ceased operating and Learning State, the industry training organisation for the public sector . . . more

Steven Joyce
26 May, 2011
Big boost for marketing of international education
New Zealand's new international education agency will start operations with nearly double the budget of its predecessors, and with most of the increase directed to marketing.
The new agency, which is scheduled to commence operations on 1 September will have a total operating budget of $84 million over four years, comp . . . more

Anne Tolley, Steven Joyce
24 May, 2011
UFB will transform education system
Government Ministers Anne Tolley and Steven Joyce say ultra fast broadband to schools will transform the education system by enhancing the way teachers teach and children learn.
Their comments follow the award today of the final two contracts for the roll out of ultra fast broadband around New Zealand and the award last . . . more

Anne Tolley
16 May, 2011
Study centres support Christchurch students
Education Minister Anne Tolley says new study centres are providing extra support for Christchurch students whose schools are still affected by the February earthquake.
The centres provide a supervised place for students to study, and are aimed at students at colleges which have been temporarily relocated to another site or a . . . more

Steven Joyce
12 May, 2011
Budget 2011: Canterbury trades training boost
Budget 2011 will provide up to $42 million for trades training for the Canterbury region, Tertiary education Minister Steven Joyce says.
Funding is being set aside for up to 1500 additional training places as part of a comprehensive cross-agency response to meet additional demand for labour for the reconstruction programm . . . more

Anne Tolley
5 May, 2011
Next steps for Kawerau schools
Education Minister Anne Tolley has made a decision on the future of schooling in Kawerau, following a second round of consultation.
?Following extensive consultation with schools and the community, I believe a number of changes need to be made to ensure that students in the area have access to the best possible education,? says Mrs Tolley. . . . more

Anne Tolley
5 May, 2011
Changes to schooling in South Dunedin
Education Minister Anne Tolley has decided on a number of changes to schools in South Dunedin to strengthen the provision of education for children in the area.
?I have carefully considered a report on the second round of consultation on the future of Year 1 ? 8 schooling in South Dunedin, and believe changes must be made to streng . . . more

Rodney Hide
2 May, 2011
Allocation of Special School Funding Announced
Associate Minister of Education Rodney Hide today announced the allocation of $22.8 million in funding under the ?Success For All ? Every School, Every Child? initiative to upgrade existing special schools and satellite units, and create new satellites around the country.
?Launched in October 2010, ?Success For All? i . . . more

Rita Angus Residency
Artists Ben Cauchi of Wanganui and Andre Hemer of Christchurch will share the highly prized Rita Angus Residency for 2011. A collaboration between Wellington Institute of Technology (WelTec) and Thorndon Trust, the Residency supports established artists and enables them to access a wide range of cutting edge facilities and technologies to achieve their vision. Creative . . . more

Paula Bennett
17 April, 2011
Green Paper puts priority on children
Social Development Minister Paula Bennett is developing a Green Paper to kick off a national conversation on how we value, nurture and protect children.
?By taking a Green Paper to the nation, we?re inviting New Zealanders to be part of this visionary approach,? says Ms Bennett.
?We can do better by our children in taking a pl . . . more

Anne Tolley, Rodney Hide
14 April, 2011
Ministers open new special education school for Wellington region
Education Minister Anne Tolley and Associate Education Minister Rodney Hide have today officially opened a new $6.3 million special education facility in Lower Hutt.
Kimi Ora School, which has relocated from Thorndon, has been specifically designed to meet the needs of students with physic . . . more

Anne Tolley
11 April, 2011
Pay deal brings certainty for students
Education Minister Anne Tolley has praised secondary school teachers for voting to accept a new pay agreement.
?This will give certainty and peace of mind to students, parents and teachers,? says Mrs Tolley.
?It removes the threat of further industrial action, and we can now concentrate on raising achievement levels and giving . . . more

Steven Joyce
6 April, 2011
Combined international education agency to boost sector
Tertiary Education Minister Steven Joyce says a new Crown Agency to improve the way the government supports and encourages international education will also help minimise the impact of the Christchurch earthquake on the sector.
"International education contributes more than $2 billion to our economy and supports . . . more

Tariana Turia
1 April, 2011
Funding for family violence focuses on frontline services
The Government has decided to reorganise a portion of its current funding for family violence into five initiatives to strengthen support for families.
Making the announcement today, Associate Minister for Social Development and Employment, Tariana Turia, said $11.035 million of the $62.4 million Government c . . . more

Anne Tolley
20 March, 2011
More schools re-open in Christchurch, ECE funding extended
Education Minister Anne Tolley says that 97 per cent of Christchurch schools are set to have re-opened by the middle of this week.
151 schools will be open tomorrow, with that figure due to rise to 157 by Wednesday.
?Schools are doing a magnificent job in making sure students can return to learning, either a . . . more

Tariana Turia
18 March, 2011
Hauora Maori Scholarships available
Associate Health Minister Tariana Turia is encouraging Maori students to apply for Hauora Maori Scholarships to help them start or finish their studies in health related courses.
?These scholarships are about supporting students in their studies, and recognising their contribution to their community.
?This year a new categ . . . more

Researchers launch free online journal to encourage further study into human wellbeing
Posted by Open Polytechnic on 2 February 2011
An open access online journal devoted to the study of human wellbeing has been launched by Kiwi researchers this week to help academics and practitioners? worldwide better understand what makes people flourish and thrive.
The International Journal of Wellbeing has . . . more

Anne Tolley
2 March, 2011
Supporting schools to re-open
Education Minister Anne Tolley says over a quarter of schools in Christchurch City have now asked for support to re-open as soon as possible, following last week's earthquake.
?43 schools, more than double yesterday?s total, are determined to open for students as soon as they can, which is extremely encouraging,? says Mrs Tolley.
?These . . . more

Anne Tolley27 February, 2011Support for Canterbury schools and students
Education Minister Anne Tolley says schools and ECE services in Christchurch City remain closed until further notice, as the extent of damage to school property becomes clearer following the devastating earthquake.
?The Ministry has now identified 18 state schools with major damage as a result of the earthquake,? says Mrs To . . . more

Anne Tolley 24 February, 2011
Update on Canterbury schools
Education Minister Anne Tolley says while Christchurch City schools and early childhood education centres remain closed until further notice, some schools in Selwyn and Waimakariri may be able to open after the weekend, following the devastating earthquake.
There are 215 schools across Christchurch, Waimaka . . . more

Steven Joyce
24 February, 2011
Govt expresses grave concern for Kings Education missing
Tertiary Education Minister Steven Joyce has this afternoon expressed grave concern for the staff and students of Kings Education, a private training establishment located on the third floor of the collapsed CTV Building.
Kings Education is an international education private training establishment with stud . . . more

Anne Tolley
21 February, 2011
Minister welcomes another pay settlement
Education Minister Anne Tolley has welcomed the decision by school principals to ratify the Secondary Principals? Collective Agreement (SPCA), and has congratulated all of the parties involved.
?The 2011-2013 SPCA is a very good settlement for secondary principals and the Government,? says Mrs Tolley.
?It provides an impro . . . more

Anne Tolley
22 February, 2011
Consultation continues for South Dunedin schools
Education Minister Anne Tolley has invited parents and teachers in the South Dunedin community to have their say in a second round of consultation about the future of South Dunedin schooling.
?I want to thank the boards of the six schools and their communities for their constructive feedback in the first consultatio . . . more

Anne Tolley
14 February, 2011
Wellington Trades Academy gets underway
Education Minister Anne Tolley has officially launched the Wellington Trades Academy, which will offer vocational trades and technology training to at least 60 students as part of the Government?s Youth Guarantee.
Thirty Wellington schools will work in partnership with the Wellington Institute of Technology and employers to . . . more

Anne Tolley
11 February, 2011
Minister launches Trades Academy in Whakatane
Education Minister Anne Tolley has officially launched the Eastern Bay of Plenty Trades Academy in Whakatane, which will offer vocational trades and technology training to 105 students as part of the Government?s Youth Guarantee.
Seven Eastern Bay schools, led by Trident High School, will work in partnership with the W . . . more

Steven Joyce 4 February, 2011
More young people engaged in tertiary study
The number of 18-25 year olds studying at tertiary level has increased markedly since 2008, according to Tertiary Education Commission figures
The number of Equivalent Full Time Students (EFTS) aged 18 - 25 years engaged in formal tertiary study increased by 15,6 . . . more

Rodney Hide
21 December, 2010
Improved Resource For Gifted And Talented New Zealand Students
It will now be easier for parents and schools to access information on providers of gifted and talented education following the launch of a redesigned website today, Associate Minister of Education Rodney Hide said.
?The Ministry of Education?s 'Gifted and Talented Online' website provides . . . more

Interactive workshop 8-10 February 2011
Petone Campus 3-7pm COME ALONG AND HAVE A GO!A fun day out to experience the campus, speaks to the tutors, try out your skills and discover what you can do! Petone campus will be open to the public from 3-7pm, 8-10 Feb 2011. Free hot food ? giveaways and great music supplied by The Edge on campus Come alone to one, or all our interactive workshops and . . . more

Hong Kong Cyberport Management Company Ltd (Hong Kong Cyberport) and Wellington Institute of Technology (WelTec) have signed a Memorandum of Understanding to collaborate in the field of creative technologies.
Hong Kong Cyberport, wholly owned by the Government of the Hong Ko . . . more

Anne Tolley
11 December, 2010
Bill enabling Trades Academies to become law
The Education Amendment Bill (No 2), which has passed the last of its Parliamentary stages, will increase educational opportunities, reduce bureaucracy and improve student safety, says Education Minister Anne Tolley.
?This Bill provides exciting new opportunities for Year 11 to 13 students by allowing them to participat . . . more

Anne Tolley, Pita Sharples
9 December, 2010
Tai W?nanga to provide choice
Education Minister Anne Tolley and Associate Education Minister Dr Pita Sharples have announced the establishment of a new secondary school over two sites in Hamilton and Palmerston North.
Tai W?nanga, a Year 9 to 13 secondary school developed in conjunction with Te W?nanga o Aotearoa, will deliver a tikanga-based educat . . . more

Steven Joyce
7 December, 2010
Appointments to University and Wananga councils
The Minister for Tertiary Education, Steven Joyce, today announced new Council members for six of New Zealand?s Universities and all three W?nanga.
The new appointments are as follows:
?The new appointees bring an excellent mix of skills and experience and I am confident that they will provide strong leadershi . . . more

Anne Tolley
7 December, 2010
OECD study confirms gap between high and low achievers
Education Minister Anne Tolley says the findings of an international study by the OECD show that more needs to be done to lift achievement for all New Zealand students.The 2009 results from the Programme for International Student Assessment (PISA) compare the performance of 15-year-olds in reading literacy, math . . . more

Working with other Industry Training Organisation?s (ITO) to improve our service

The PGDR ITO has recently signed a contract with the Joinery ITO to provide shared regional staff services to the South Island. The current Government is looking to ITOs to work together more and to become more efficient. The PGDR ITO is carrying out a shared service venture with the Joinery ITO in the . . . more

CLTi has been accredited for a new 1 year Diploma in TESOL (Level 6) by the New Zealand Qualifications Authority. This allows graduates to have a 1 year open work visa and 50 immigration points.
CLTi is the only place in the world where non-native speakers of English can take a practical in-depth TESOL qualification. The Diploma includes:
Certificate . . . more

Education Minister Anne Tolley has announced that Tamaki has been selected to receive a funding boost to increase participation in early childhood education.
Tamaki joins the intensive community-led projects which are already underway in Waitakere and . . . more

High demand for switched on Engineering graduates
The electrical and electrotechnology industry has a skill shortage and UCOL is stepping up to the plate with a new qualification.
From next year, the two year New Zealand Diploma in Engineering Level 6 - the newest Electrical Engineering qualification in New Zealand ? will be available at UCOL. UCOL?s Dean of Trades and . . . more

Rodney Hide
20 October, 2010
Success For All - Every School, Every Child

Associate Minister of Education Rodney Hide today launched 'Success for All - Every School, Every Child', the Government's response to the Special Education Review. The plan sets out changes to be made over four years to ensure children with special needs get a fair deal.
"'Success for All' is about schools . . . more

The Minister for Tertiary Education, Steven Joyce, is calling for submissions from the public on the proposed merger of Tair?whiti Polytechnic and Eastern Institute of Technology.
The proposal is that the two organisations merge into one entity.Mr Joyce says the two organisations have a strong interest in off . . . more

Tertiary Education Minister Steven Joyce has welcomed a new report that shows the number of adults participating in courses that include literacy and numeracy skills has more than doubled since 2007.
The Tertiary Education Commission today released a report Getting Results in Literacy and Numeracy which outlines progr . . . more

Implementation of the Registered Teacher Criteria
Registered Teacher Criteria to replace Satisfactory Teacher Dimensions
From 2010, the New Zealand Teachers Council/Te Pouherenga Kaiako o Aotearoa (the Council) will begin phasing out the Satisfactory Teacher Dimensions and replacing them with the finalised Registered Teacher Criteria as the standards for teacher registration. Most teachers will . . . more

The Government will fund almost 3,000 more university student places over the next two years in response to high demand for full-time tertiary study, Tertiary Education Minister Steven Joyce announced today.
"Cabinet this week decided to invest a further $55m to create more undergraduate places for young people . . . more

Following a review of the Aspire Scholarship scheme, Associate Education Minister Hon Rodney Hide was today pleased to announce changes to the scheme's eligibility criteria which will see more students able to apply.
"At present, the scheme does not take into account the number of children in a household and how . . . more

Steven Joyce8 September, 2010
Greater accountability for tertiary spendTertiary Education Minister Steven Joyce says today's online publication of information about the performance of tertiary institutions is another step towards transparency and accountability for the country's large investment in tertiary education The Tertiary Education Commission has today released, for the first time, an ov . . . more

Anne Tolley, Pita Sharples1 September, 2010
Brighter future for Alternative Education studentsEducation Minister Anne Tolley and Associate Education Minister Pita Sharples have announced a funding increase of $1.5 million alongside changes which will see Alternative Education better meet the needs of students.From next year each Alternative Education provider will be required to involve a regist . . . more

Anne Tolley31 August, 2010
Felix Donnelly College to closeEducation Minister Anne Tolley has announced that Felix Donnelly College in South Auckland is to close on 27 January 2011."Following consultation last year I am satisfied that the complex needs of the students are not being met at the school and that it should close," says Mrs Tolley.The special school, which has a lengthy history of seri . . . more

Education Minister Anne Tolley has announced Government funding for a new Science Academy which will benefit students from small, rural and low decile secondary schools.
$593,000 is being invested over two years in the Otago University Advanced School Sciences Academy, which will host fifty students from around New Zealand each ye . . . more

The Reserve Bank announced today that Kristin School from Auckland is the national winner of the Reserve Bank of New Zealand 2010 Monetary Policy Challenge (MPC). Tauranga Boys? College was placed second and Scots College from Wellington came third.

The national final took place at the Reserve Bank in Wellington yeste . . . more

Anne Tolley
17 August, 2010
Eighty per cent of schools working well with Standards

Education Minister Anne Tolley has welcomed a report from the Education Review Office which shows that eighty per cent of primary and intermediate schools are already making good progress with implementing National Standards.
"These findings reinforce what parents, principals and teachers have been telling me . . . more

Social Development Minister Paula Bennett and Tertiary Education Minister Steven Joyce today announced changes to the Training Opportunities Programme (TOP's).
TOPS training courses for beneficiaries are to be reconfigured to have a greater emphasis on getting people into work.
"I am committed to h . . . more

Kelly Tarlton?s offers two scholarship valued at $9,000 each to students planning to enter their first year studying a Diploma in Marine Studies at the Bay of Plenty Polytechnic. In addition, recipients can gain valuable work experience working over the summer holiday break at Kelly Tarlton?s Antarctic Encounter and Underwater World. The scholarships cover the course fees for the two year Diploma. . . . more

Brother and sister schools perform for charity Queen Margaret and Scots Colleges will join forces on August 4 to stage a musical extravaganza to raise funds for charity. Shared Harmonies will feature talented musicians and instrumental groups across all age levels from both Colleges. Included in the concert line-up will be Queen Margaret College?s award winning Barbershop chorus, . . . more

Heather Roy 23 July, 2010 Minister Welcomes ERO Report On High Needs Students Associate Minister of Education Heather Roy today welcomed the release of the Education Review Office (ERO) report 'Including Students with High Needs', and agreed with its recommendation that professional learning and development in this area be school-wide rather than solely undertaken for individual teachers . . . more

Bill English, Anne Tolley 21 July, 2010 School property PPP moves to next stage The Government is taking the next step towards a public-private partnership for building and maintaining some new school property, Infrastructure Minister Bill English and Education Minister Anne Tolley announced today. "This Government has made it clear we are open to greater use of private sector expertise . . . more

If you are living in New Zealand and English is not your first language, then North Tec can help you!
Our free online English for Migrants certificate course is specially written to help you improve your English and learn more about life in New Zealand.
Click here to register you . . . more

Steven Joyce 8 July, 2010 Minister welcomes polytech collaboration The Minister for Tertiary Education Steven Joyce has today welcomed news that the Nelson Marlborough Institute of Technology and the Christchurch Polytechnic Institute of Technology have signed an agreement to investigate projects they can work together on. "Earlier this year we signalled to polytechnics that they should b . . . more

Steven Joyce A simpler, more user-friendly qualifications framework. The establishment of a single, unified qualifications framework will make life a lot simpler for employers and for New Zealanders looking to enrol in tertiary study, says Tertiary Education Minister Steven Joyce. The New Zealand Qualifications Framework, which replaces the New Zealand Register of Quality Assured Qualificat . . . more

Primary Industry Employers to benefit from clearer training outcomes
Tuesday May 18, 2010
Employers stand to benefit from a project that will see a larger pool of people with the skills needed for our land-based industries.
The project aims to harmonise common elements of national qualifications managed by seven primary sector training organisations: Agriculture ITO, Equine ITO, FITEC (Forestry . . . more

Anne Tolley 15 June, 2010 Minister launches learning resource in Shanghai Education Minister Anne Tolley has launched a Chinese language online learning resource for New Zealand schools, while attending Education Week at the World Expo in Shanghai. The launch took place at the New Zealand-China forum on Mandarin language teaching. "New Zealanders need to be equipped with the skills and k . . . more

Anne Tolley 10 June, 2010 Attracting and retaining high quality teachers Education Minister Anne Tolley has released a discussion document after receiving an independent report on how to attract, train and retain high quality teachers. "I appointed the Workforce Advisory Group to give me independent, expert advice on the future of the teaching workforce," says Mrs Tolley. "We want to . . . more

Education Minister Anne Tolley has confirmed a site has been purchased for a new primary school at Waikanae, near Wellington.
"This is good news for Waikanae, and shows the Government is focused on supporting the needs of students and lifting achievement," says Mrs Tolley.
The three-hectare site, close to David . . . more

Anne Tolley 20 May, 2010 Extra $1.4 billion for schools, early childhood Budget 2010 delivers a substantial boost to education in a difficult economic environment, Education Minister Anne Tolley says. "The Budget allocates an extra $1.4 billion to education over four years, as we continue to focus on frontline services to help lift student achievement and give our children the best possi . . . more

Anne Tolley 27 April, 2010 Further motivation for NCEA students Students will have strong performances in individual courses recognised from next year across all NCEA levels says Education Ministe . . . more

Steven Joyce 14 April, 2010 Tertiary institutions get more freedom to develop campuses The government has announced it will give tertiary education institutions more control over how their land and buildings are managed, . . . more

South Seas Film and Television School is offering beginners' animation workshops absolutely free on the last Saturday of each month in 2010.These are fun days with our animation tutors, introducing you to concepts of animation and simple exercises. Exercises include movement drawing with a life model, layout application, character desi . . . more